Sophie Amos, a third-year student on the University of Winchester’s Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) Adult Nursing degree course, is one of only 10 students to be shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs Award and the only one based in the South of England.
Sophie has been shortlisted for the award because of her work in getting the nursing student voice heard both inside and outside the University. Sophie says: “I always make sure that I champion student nurses within the local NHS trusts, always putting student nurses on the agendas of meetings I have, especially with senior people such as the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive and the Chief Nurse.
“I’m also active in the Wessex Critical Care Programme Committee, which is made up of paramedic, medical and nursing students across Wessex. We coordinate events with healthcare professions to educate healthcare staff, including students, on issues that face them, using lectures, workshops and live simulations.”
Sophie is Chair of the Student and Staff Liaison Nursing Committee, which she has redesigned to incorporate more representation across nursing. She has taken part in campaigns to lower rent for nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic, helped shaped the University’s nursing course through student feedback, founded the University’s Nursing Society and organised International Nurse’s Day event at the University in 2022.
Sophie was also part of a project in the University comprising student representatives and the Programme and Practice Learning team to create a Winchester Community of Nursing. The aim is to nurture students at risk of leaving the programme by providing peer-led mentoring and coaching. This project was awarded significant funds by Health Education England (HEE).
Ian Winkworth, Deputy Head of Nursing at the University of Winchester, says, “Here at the University we are proud to be not only developing the high-quality nurses needed for the future, but also students who are real advocates and ambassadors for the profession, striving to help their colleagues’ voices be heard.
“Sophie is well-deserving of her shortlisting. She’s an extraordinary and motivated nursing student who will go on to serve her profession with distinction. We wish her well in these awards and hope she goes on to win.”
For the next stage of the competition, Sophie will travel to London to present her activities to a panel of judges at the Nursing Times. The winner will be announced at the Student Nursing Times Awards on 28 April at the Grosvenor Hotel in Park Lane.
The University of Winchester teaches four Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) degrees: Nursing (Adult), Nursing (Child), Nursing (Learning Disabilities) and Nursing (Mental Health).
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